A charge nurse is making client care assignments. Which of the following tasks should the nurse delegate to assistive personnel (AP)? (Select all that apply.)
A.
Assist a client to ambulate using a gait belt.
B.
Review a low-sodium diet for a client who has hypertension.
C.
Feed a client who had a stroke 3 months ago.
D.
Bathe a client who had an amputation 2 days ago.
E.
Expllain oral hygiene to a client receiving chemotherapy.
The correct answer and Explanation is :
The tasks that should be delegated to assistive personnel (AP) are:
A. Assist a client to ambulate using a gait belt.
C. Feed a client who had a stroke 3 months ago.
D. Bathe a client who had an amputation 2 days ago.
Explanation:
A. Assist a client to ambulate using a gait belt.
This task involves basic assistance with mobility. Using a gait belt is a routine and non-complex task that APs are trained to perform. It requires basic safety and assistance skills, which are within the scope of practice for APs.
C. Feed a client who had a stroke 3 months ago.
Feeding a client who has had a stroke, especially one who is not fully recovered, requires careful attention but does not usually require advanced clinical judgment or skills. APs are trained to assist with feeding, ensuring that the client’s nutritional needs are met while monitoring for any swallowing difficulties or aspiration risks.
D. Bathe a client who had an amputation 2 days ago.
Bathing is a fundamental personal care task. APs are trained to assist with bathing and personal hygiene, and they can provide the necessary support while ensuring the client’s comfort and safety, particularly after recent surgical procedures like an amputation.
Tasks Not Delegated to APs:
B. Review a low-sodium diet for a client who has hypertension.
This task involves assessing the client’s dietary needs and providing detailed dietary education, which requires clinical knowledge and understanding of the client’s condition. This is beyond the scope of AP duties and should be performed by a registered nurse or a dietitian.
E. Explain oral hygiene to a client receiving chemotherapy.
Explaining oral hygiene to a client undergoing chemotherapy involves providing education and addressing potential complications related to treatment. This requires specialized knowledge about the effects of chemotherapy on oral health and how to manage them, making it a task suitable for a registered nurse.
In summary, the tasks delegated to APs should be those that involve basic care routines and do not require advanced clinical judgment or specialized education.